Trippin' on a hole in the courthouse lawn

~Cape hosts a golf tournament downtown

A unique group of people gathered at the riverfront on Sunday, June 26 while most of downtown Cape Girardeau's nighttime crowd recovered from hangover's.

More than 80 people hit golf balls from the lawn of the Common Pleas Courthouse, in the alley behind the Rude Dog Pub and on the east side of the floodwall along the Mississippi River. The golfers were taking part in the first annual Louis J. Lorimier Memorial World-Famous Downtown Golf Tournament and All-You-Can-Eat Catfish Buffet.

The tournament -- a fundraiser for the Red House Interpretive Center's building fund -- was more an afternoon of fun than an actual competition.

For Cape Girardeau residents, Julie Pastrick and Kim Schott, playing in the tournament was a way to support the enhancement efforts of the downtown area. Both women said they weren't experienced golfers.

"That's both of our husbands," Pastrick said. "We're the ones encouraging them to golf to get them out of the house."

While the two woman took a couple of practice swings -- and advice from their husbands, Bob Pastrick and Mike Schott -- they soon realized the sport of golf wasn't as easy as they thought.

"This is going to be hilarious," Kim Schott said as she swung her club and missed the ball. "We're going to be good for some laughs," she told her friend.

As the 80 golfers embarked on the nine-hole course -- that started at the top of the Common Pleas Courthouse and ended in front of the Red House -- they soon realized it wasn't a plush country club.

Participants battled trees, sidewalks and flowerbeds throughout the course. And the more experienced golfers seemed a little lost without their golf carts and a cold beer.

The most unique hole was inside the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Golfers putted around various Cape Girardeau artifacts at hole No. 6 that was created by Tim Roth, set designer for the River City Players.

The 8-par hole was a bit challenging for golfers as they putted around orange stools from the old Wimpy's restaurant at Kingshighway and Cape Rock Drive. Cement lion heads from the old telephone company on Broadway and part of an iron gate that once surrounded the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse in Jackson served as roadblocks for golfers.

Roth, who designed the hole, has been collecting souvenirs from old buildings since he was a teenager.

"I always tried to get a piece of something when buildings were torn down. I don't know why I keep that stuff around," he said.

The golf tournament was deemed a success by organizers and participants. About $2,000 was raised from the event for the Red House Interpretive Center's building fund.

"It was magnificent and I believe it exceeded everyone's expectations," said co-organizer Charlie Herbst.

John Hillin received the lowest score of the day -- a 31 -- for the 35-par course.

Participants were also treated to a catfish buffet served by Port Cape outside of the Red House.

The golf tournament exceeded Southeast Missourian editor Joe Sullivan's dreams. Years ago, Sullivan brought up the idea of a downtown golf course in his weekly column and his dream of driving golf balls into the Mississippi River.

Herbst said after the success of the first-ever golf tournament, he expects about 150 golfers will participate next year.